Indiana Hayden's Birthday Crusade

The day was finally here for the adventure. Hayden's 10th birthday was celebrated in Indiana Jones style!! All was set up for our Egypt, India, China, and Peru destinations as they boys set out in search of the Holy Grail and treasures gallore! Hayden donned his outfit and awaited his guests out front...

Here is where it began; Dr. Jones's office. The brave boys received their adventure bag for collecting loot, and a compass to help them lead the way. The first clue was to be unraveled (from a roll of toilet paper) as the searched for where mummies knew best .What a brave bunch as they raced to be mummified, shoot darts at evil villians, and dig through monkey brains for the most eyeballs.

Then came a feast of monkey brains and racing boulders, alligator eyes, poisonous drinks (with antidotes of course) and chocolate covered beetles...or what was left of the chocolate covered raisins. Ashtyn thought she'd be nice and share them with our dog Indi...who was throwing up chocolate covered 'beetles' all night long through the party. After feasting, the boys practiced their whip skills...and started to get chilled!

Lastly, with torches in hand, the boys brave the spider cave and snake pit for the last clues. One by one, they searched the cave for the 'grail' and retrieved a ruby spider for safe keeping. Later the boys disclosed how spooky the cave really was; saying they heard things moving around in there too!

And of course, Indi's favorite; a diamond back snake cake that was pink inside so when cut open it was like a real snake. We sure love Hayden and are so proud of who he's becoming. He has great friends and we appreciate the neighborhood we live in where our kids can play and live so freely and safely! I hope this was a crusade to remember; because mom was sure tired after...

October Whirlwind

Whew! Let's see if I can cover the rest of the month as it blew by way too fast! The annual ward Halloween Party. Ashtyn was all ready to be Little Miss Muffet, but due to a late nap, wouldn't wear that costume and had to be Minnie Mouse with a spider. Then here's the duo from Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom! Here's the 80's couple rockin' out! (and no, Ashtyn is not eating toilet paper. She's waiting to wrap us up mummy style!)Then, of course I let Nathan go shopping alone at Wal-mart on a Saturday afternoon with the kids the week before Grandma & Grandad come. What does he come home with? A new addition to the family...yes, one that must be fed, walked, and potty trained (AND live IN the house!). Needless to say, the kids have fallen in love with India ("Indi" as in Indiana Jones). We almost loose her amongst all the stuffed dogs in the house!

So, Ashtyn had to change her costume AGAIN and be Tinkerbell (last year's costume!) You'd think after she wears this every day, that she'd dress up as something else...Boys are sure a lot easier to please!Then the day after Halloween, Jantzen was baptized. Granddad and Grandma had flown in from North Carolina; and my Uncle Waylon and Aunt Janet also joined us. Aunt Pam, Uncle Joe, Harley, Zach, and Grandpa Earl came also to support Jantz. We missed everyone else too far away who couldn't make it!We are so proud of Jantzen and his decision to be baptized! He was so handsome in white; and he says he wasn't nervous at all. Dad baptized him and granddad got to confirm him. He couldn't stop smiling when he stood in front of the congregation as the newest member of our ward.And the proud, happy family (yes, that's a growl on Ashtyn's face; she was having a blast running around the church and hiding from us! So much for the perfect family picture!)